To raw feed or not to raw feed?

sheramber

GwylimT wrote: »

A bit worrying that your vets aren’t aware that both dogs and cats are able to consume salmonella without getting ill, but that raw pet food is also screened for salmonella.

yes, just think of the garbage dogs eat- decaying carcasses, thrown away food, various forms of poo.

easterbunni

SensibleSoph wrote: »

As a parent I wouldn’t take the risk of feeding Raw due to the salmonella risks. Most Vets I’ve spoke to confirm this.

My husband and I have caught more bugs from other humans and the places they frequent than we have from raw feeding the dog.

Vet

sheramber wrote: »

Most vets no little about raw feeding, or any feeding . Their education is supplied by animal food companies.

Salmonella can be contracted from kibble and from treats as well as raw food

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/lets-get-the-facts-straight-fda/

Just so pet food consumers can get the facts straight – in the past five years (June 2010 – June 2015) – just for Salmonella contamination, there have been 23 kibble recalls, 14 raw recalls, and 26 treat recalls.


The above is based on the actual number of FDA recall press releases over the past 5 years. But as we all know, sometimes one FDA recall press release includes more than one variety of pet food. Often, multiple pet foods are recalled in one press release. So…what is the total of individual pet foods recalled due to Salmonella contamination for the same time frame?.....................

Lots more information in this link.

My dogs are fed raw food that is for for human consumption. I handle their raw food the same way I handle my own raw food -washing my hands and the surfaces, containers etc thoroughly after use. Basic hygiene.

In over 20 years of raw feeding neither my family nor my dogs have contracted salmonella.

Rw feeding is not for everybody but personally I wouldn't feed any other now. I know exactly what my dogs are eating with no added rubbish.

They are healthy- oldest currently 14 and still chasing toys.

Three vets , in different practices, have commented on the good condition of my dogs. None of my dogs have ever needed teeth cleaning.

Raw feeding is not for everybody but personally I wouldn't feed any other now. I know exactly what my dogs are eating with no added rubbish.

Where is the data suggesting most vets do not know about raw feeding?
My education was not subsidised by food companies. We all spend large amounts of time outside of work on continued professional development where we learn about the latest trends in the public. We are far more aware of the risks, than the benefits, of raw feeding because we SEE the issues in practice. Your hygiene may be superior to that of the general public - but that does not mean you are exempt from infection. Stay safe

bugslett

I have recently re-homed an OES pup. The people giving her up said she had a sensitive stomach, which she did even on puppy sensitive food, a few days of chicken and rice helped, switched back to the original puppy sensitive and still very sloppy poos, Switched to raw at the weekend and it's been really good for her as far as I can tell, well certainly based on what I'm picking up ( as opposed to trying to gather and then hose!)

Hygiene aspect does worry me, never have the dog bowls been so clean and the counter so wiped! Doesn't help that I can' abide raw meat:(

sheramber

bugslett wrote: »

I have recently re-homed an OES pup. The people giving her up said she had a sensitive stomach, which she did even on puppy sensitive food, a few days of chicken and rice helped, switched back to the original puppy sensitive and still very sloppy poos, Switched to raw at the weekend and it's been really good for her as far as I can tell, well certainly based on what I'm picking up ( as opposed to trying to gather and then hose!)

Hygiene aspect does worry me, never have the dog bowls been so clean and the counter so wiped! Doesn't help that I can' abide raw meat:(

I use Mistral disinfectant diluted in a spray bottle.
https://mistralie.co.uk/products/odourfresh-pet-disinfectant-standard

Sometimes it is cheaper on Amazon

melbury

Cold pressed dog food is supposed to be a sort of halfway between kibble and raw feeding. Our dog has this and Butchers's wet food.

bugslett

Thanks sheramber, I'll check it out.

Kokadjo

The tb issue from a particular brand of recalled raw cat food is an ongoing one. I have cats affected (one has died already) and me and my family need to be tested as well.
It came to light late last year, about a month before the recall, but cases have exploded since then.
I believe a research paper is due to be published and released to vet journals late next month. A general press release will also be released on the current findings of the Royal D.I.C.K ( had to write it like that as forum wont let me post the word as it should be written) Veterinary Hospital at the same time.
Personally, while I believe raw food is the very best for your pets, I have stopped using it now.


And just a note about vets. When my cat had a number of vague symptoms, and inconclusive tests, I was never asked about feeding regime. So after the cat which originally showed symptoms was suspected of lymphoma and then defaulted to FIP, it was me who asked about tb, explaining what Id read about the tb outbreak in an unnamed raw food.
From there I was referred to the RDVH in Edinburgh.
However, I feel that it should be part of a vet's job to ask about what I'm feeding in the case of vague symptoms and undiagnosed illness. - not me that should be asking the questions.

Fire_Fox

Kokadjo wrote: »

And just a note about vets. When my cat had a number of vague symptoms, and inconclusive tests, I was never asked about feeding regime. So after the cat which originally showed symptoms was suspected of lymphoma and then defaulted to FIP, it was me who asked about tb, explaining what Id read about the tb outbreak in an unnamed raw food.
From there I was referred to the RDVH in Edinburgh.
However, I feel that it should be part of a vet's job to ask about what I'm feeding in the case of vague symptoms and undiagnosed illness. - not me that should be asking the questions.

Anyone going 'off plan' with their pets food supplements or diet should be double checking with or informing their veterinary practice beforehand. That is part of our job as owners/ caretakers/ guardians/ slaves.

It is notoriously difficult for health/ medical / veterinary professionals to find out exactly what a child/ pet/ patient has actually consumed (food, drink, drugs, tobacco). People forget, simply do not know or outright lie as a matter of routine.

If you add to that cats ability to disguise discomfort or pain (making vague symptoms the norm) and the shocking dearth of scientific evidence for a host of prescription drugs, supplements and diets in domestic cats .... The vets you try to scapegoat are almost working blind.

Sorry but your post reads as taking no responsibility for your poorly informed decisions.

HClements

I was also going to move to a raw diet for two adopted kittens - but that all came to a halt when they were diagnosed with bovine TB. They were rescued from a multiple cat household, along with 13 other cats (including their siblings and mum) and we were told that they'd recovered from feline flu at the time of adoption.

We lost one of the kittens after four months and our remaining kitten (now 1yr+) is the only one alive of the initial 15 - as others have died from active TB or been put down due to testing positive. Our cat is only alive because we refused to put him down and committed to a regime of three antibiotics every day for the past six months.

I can't describe how horrendous it is to watch a kitten/cat slowly starve and cough themselves to death, until their breathing is so laboured they can no longer sleep. As someone who's kept cats for her whole life, it was the most distressing thing I've ever experienced and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I also wouldn't wish the bungling vets (although we eventually got an amazing vet who has helped us save the others life and seen us through it all) or incompetent DEFRA on anyone. Having just put down a kitten I'll never forget being told the next day on the phone that DEFRA don't know how to handle the body for official TB testing, and whilst there are instructions for dealing with a camels body - there's nothing about cats!!!

Investigations are still ongoing to see if their infection came from raw food, but it's looking very likely that it's linked to the other cases.

I am telling everyone I can that for the moment it's just not safe to feed your cats raw - unless where you're buying it from can prove that every single carcass used has been tested for TB. It saddens me as I can clearly see the benefits of feeding raw - but whilst there's no vaccine for cats and whilst DEFRA and the veterinary and rescue community are so entirely clueless on the subject, I just wouldn't take the risk.

I would love to hear from anyone else caught up in this - as we've been left feeling entirely isolated by the experience.